11 Natural Remedies for Receding Gums in 2023
In this article, we will discuss natural remedies and affordable home treatments for receding gums. While there isn’t a way to completely reverse gum disease to date, there are many things you can do to stop further recession, alleviate pain, swelling, and bleeding, and avoid expensive dental procedures.
Here are some easy, affordable methods you can try at home.
What are 11 Natural Remedies for Receding Gums?
1.) Red Light Therapy and Blue Light Therapy Combination
Both red light therapy and blue light therapy are effective in treating receding gums. Red light therapy helps to increase blood flow, and promote healing and new gum tissue growth, while blue light therapy kills the bacteria that cause gum disease. The combination of therapies can help to prevent the worsening of the receding gum line and improve the overall health of gums.
Our first choice for gum recession aid at home is the Starlite Smile 32 LED Gum Disease Light. With over 1300 reviews and a 4.5-star average, It comes in two versions. One has a rechargeable battery and costs about $29 and the other is $69, plugs into an iPhone, Android, or USB/USB-C, and doesn’t need a battery.
Best Choice
Starlite Smile 32 LED Red/Blue Light Gum Stimulator Light
Best Value
Starlite Smile 32 LED Red/Blue Light Gum Stimulator Light
2.) Oil Pulling
Coconut oil has been shown to have numerous benefits for receding gums, including preventing infection, reducing inflammation, and expediting healing. Additionally, coconut oil has a natural antibacterial and antifungal agent that can help to clear up any existing infections. Oil pulling with coconut oil can also help to improve gum health by removing harmful bacteria and toxins from the mouth.
Just spoon out about a teaspoon of coconut oil and put it in your mouth. Swish around and pull back and forth between the teeth. When it builds up, spit and repeat. Be sure you spit the used oil out as it is gathering bacteria and toxins from the mouth and you don’t want to swallow this.
3.) Charcoal
Charcoal has been used medicinally for centuries, and it helps periodontal disease and receding gums by providing deep cleaning of gums and teeth and pulling toxins out of the mouth. This helps reduce inflammation and infection in the gums. It also has antibacterial properties, which can help kill bacteria and helps soothe and protect the gums.
One way to use charcoal for receding gums is to rinse with a charcoal antibacterial mouthwash. You can also swish and pull with a charcoal paste. This has the added benefit of naturally whitening teeth as well as cleaning and detoxing.
Charcoal paste is a bit abrasive though, so I don’t recommend you brush your teeth with it as it can erode tooth enamel. Also wash ceramic sinks out quickly to avoid staining.
Our Pick
Charcoal Paste
Burt’s Bees Toothpaste, Natural Flavor, Charcoal Fluoride-Free Toothpaste, Zen Peppermint, 4.7 oz, Pack of 3
4.) Corsodyl
Corsodyl (chlorhexidine digluconate) is clinically proven to treat gum disease. It kills plaque bacteria and provides long-lasting protection against future plaque build-up. It is available over the counter in the UK, but in the US requires a prescription.
5.) Essential Oils
Some essential oils that are beneficial for receding gums include tea tree oil, clove oil, and myrrh oil. Tea tree oil is anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. Clove oil is anti-bacterial and has analgesic properties, which can help to relieve pain caused by gingival recession. Eucalyptus oil is an anti-inflammatory germicide. Peppermint oil prevents the growth of microorganisms and makes mouths and breath feel minty fresh.
I recommend adding a few drops of each to a teaspoon of coconut oil and using for oil pulling (discussed in #2).
Our Pick
Essential Oil Set
Therapeutic Grade 100% Pure Frankincense, Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary, Orange, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Clove, Spearmint, Lemongrass, Cinnamon
6.) Drinking Green Tea Extract
A recent Japanese study where 940 participants drank one cup or more of green tea per day showed a decrease in gum bleeding and recession. The same study showed significant evidence that green tea may reduce the chances of oral cancer.
Green tea extract is an excellent oral health supplement that can help to protect teeth and gums from decay and recession. The catechins in green tea are powerful antioxidants that help to fight bacteria, plaque, and tartar. Tea extract can also help to improve circulation in the gums, which promotes healthy tissue growth. Additionally, the polyphenols in green tea have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce inflammation in the gums and mouth.
Best Choice
Modere Go
Best Value
4C Powder Drink Mix Packets
7.) Flossing
Of course, this seems obvious, but a lot of people don’t floss regularly for one reason or another. It really is a proven preventative and should be a standard in your daily oral hygiene routine.
If you don’t like floss, try soft picks. They work great with dental implants also, which can be harder to floss.
8.) Hydrogen Peroxide
Helps to relieve swollen and sore gums, and bleeding gums. It also may whiten teeth a bit.
Rinse a couple of times each week with 1/4 cup of 3% HP and 1/4 warm water. Swish around for about 30 seconds. Be sure you spit this out and do not swallow it.
9.) Turmeric
The curcumin in turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help to reduce inflammation and bacteria, and can help to promote healthy gum tissue growth. A recent study found that people who used a turmeric mouthwash twice a day experienced less gum recession and better gum health than those who did not. Incorporating turmeric into your daily routine may help to improve your gum health.
10.) Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 fatty acids, found in fish oils and some nuts and seeds, have been shown to help improve gum health. One study showed that omega 3 supplements led to a 56% reduction in gum inflammation. Another study showed that adding omega-3 fatty acids to the diet improved gum health in people with periodontal disease.
11.) Xylitol
Xylitol eliminates bacteria from teeth and mouth and creates a neutral pH balance. Chewing xylitol gum (no more than 20-30 grams per day) can lessen the odds of developing, or worsening, gum disease.
But don’t forget it is lethal to dogs!
What is the Cause of Gum Recession?
When gums are receding it means gum tissue is pulling away from your teeth. This will expose the tooth root underneath.
Lack of good oral hygiene may be the main cause, but there are several others.
Brushing too hard (use a soft bristled brush), smoking (quit smoking), chronic teeth grinding (try a mouth guard) and even genetics, are all possible triggers.
It’s so important to take care of your teeth as poor oral health can cause issues with your overall health as well. Receding gums can be a very serious problem and if not treated properly can lead to tooth loss, tooth sensitivity, painful treatments such as scaling and root planing, and a lot of unnecessary expenses from dental treatments or surgeries.
Prevention is key! But don’t be discouraged if you already have signs of gum recession.
Try to use as many of the natural ways above as often as possible to help keep your gums from getting any worse and to ease pain and other symptoms. And don’t forget to make an appointment with your dentist or periodontist at least once a year and have an annual dental cleaning.
I hope you find this information helpful and keep smiling!
Disclaimers:
The information provided on this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional dental advice. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a dental condition or treatment. Additionally, no products or services mentioned on this blog are intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
I share products I use, love, and recommend for my own clients. Some of the links in this article are affiliate links and I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks!
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